The Days and Nights of Sophia Petrillo

Every single episode of the Golden Girls is unique in their own way. One of the standout episodes, in my eyes, is "The Days and Nights of Sophia Petrillo." In this episode while Dorothy, Rose, and Blanche sit around and feel like their lives are boring, Sophia goes out and fights with the grocery store over a peach, conducts a jazz band made up of old ladies, and volunteers at the hospital. This particular episode aired on October 22nd, 1988 (Season 4, Episode 2). It was one of the most complete episodes, with some of the best one liners delivered by Estelle.

[Sophia is asking a store clerk for help in choosing the perfect nectarine]
Clerk: ...I never saw a more perfect piece of fruit.
Sophia Petrillo: No? Then try kissing my behind. It's a real peach!

Estelle won an Emmy that year for the previous season, and was nominated again in 1989. If I'm not mistaken, she submitted this particular episode for Emmy contention. Though she was not honored with an Emmy -she once again challenged the Hollywood status quo as an actress, and in the episode she challenged society's status quo. During the show's span Estelle was nominated for 6 consecutive Emmys from 1986-92.

I knew the day would come, when one by one my girls would cross over... Estelle you're the first... There are no words to describe the loss...

Here are the final 5 minutes of "The Days and Nights of Sophia Petrillo." Let us remember "Maaaaaa!"